Crestview resident among many helping Paxton family

Megan Renfroe prepares her sister Katie for the 12-hour drive to Hollywood, Fla., where she is receiving a series of surgeries to improve the quality of her life.

DEVON RAVINE | Daily News

By WENDY VICTORA | Northwest Florida Daily News

Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 04:57 PM.

PAXTON — Until someone told Katie Renfroe’s parents Tuesday morning, it had never occurred to Angie and Dan Renfroe to Google their 4-year-old daughter’s name.

Now, if they type in “Katie Renfroe,” a story published Sunday in the Northwest Florida Daily News will pop up dozens of times in a multitude of languages from media outlets around the world.

The story about the little Paxton girl with the big cheeks has gone viral. And although donations have begun to pour in for the family of 10, the Renfroes say the greatest gift is the opportunity to inspire others.

“I think it will definitely get the word out that just because your child has a problem, you shouldn’t go and abort it,” said Angie, who was touched by online comments from other parents who have faced similar challenges.

“Think of all the people we’re helping,” she said.

Katie was diagnosed in utero with megalencephaly, a rare disorder that causes some of her facial features to be abnormally large. She has also had part of her brain removed to help control seizures.

The family, which includes two younger siblings and five older ones, lives modestly outside Paxton.

Although Catholic Charities has helped them occasionally, Marketing Director Kelly Humphrey said the Renfroes ask for nothing and insist that the organization give to others who really need it.

The organization’s Fort Walton Beach branch is helping the family with Christmas presents for the children and accepting phone calls from folks with questions about the family.

Humphrey’s cell phone number was listed in the original story, along with information about an account that has been set up for Katie at Regions Bank.

She said that her phone started ringing Monday morning and hasn’t stopped since. Folks from across the country have called.

“Each time I picked up the phone, I would see a different area code on the caller ID,” Humphrey said.

“I had a man call me from Las Vegas. He was in tears. He said, ‘This story just touches my heart. People gripe and complain about all their little problems. You see this and you think, why in the world would I be complaining?’ ”

Humphrey said people also were moved that the family was self-reliant despite both parents being unemployed.

Local people called as well. The first person to reach Humphrey was someone at an automotive repair shop in Crestview offering to service the family’s 22-year-old van.

The Renfroes left Tuesday afternoon for South Florida, where Katie is scheduled to begin a series of surgeries to improve her quality of life.

Right now, her petite frame is not strong enough to support the weight of her head. At nearly 5 years old, she weighs just 28 pounds.

On previous trips to the hospital in South Florida, Angie said she borrowed her brother’s credit card and paid him back bit by bit over time.

This time will be different. By Tuesday morning, $700 already had been deposited into the account, and Angie figured that would be enough to see them through the two-week stay.

“Financially, we’re all good for this trip,” she said. “Without the help of everyone out there, I’m not saying we couldn’t do it — we’ve always found a way — but it is so much easier.

“This way, I don’t owe anybody anything except gratitude.”

WANT TO HELP? An account has been set up at Regions Bank in the name of Angie Renfroe for the benefit of Katie Renfroe. Catholic Charities is also working with the family.

PAXTON — Until someone told Katie Renfroe’s parents Tuesday morning, it had never occurred to Angie and Dan Renfroe to Google their 4-year-old daughter’s name.

Now, if they type in “Katie Renfroe,” a story published Sunday in the Northwest Florida Daily News will pop up dozens of times in a multitude of languages from media outlets around the world.

The story about the little Paxton girl with the big cheeks has gone viral. And although donations have begun to pour in for the family of 10, the Renfroes say the greatest gift is the opportunity to inspire others.

“I think it will definitely get the word out that just because your child has a problem, you shouldn’t go and abort it,” said Angie, who was touched by online comments from other parents who have faced similar challenges.

“Think of all the people we’re helping,” she said.

Katie was diagnosed in utero with megalencephaly, a rare disorder that causes some of her facial features to be abnormally large. She has also had part of her brain removed to help control seizures.

The family, which includes two younger siblings and five older ones, lives modestly outside Paxton.

Although Catholic Charities has helped them occasionally, Marketing Director Kelly Humphrey said the Renfroes ask for nothing and insist that the organization give to others who really need it.

The organization’s Fort Walton Beach branch is helping the family with Christmas presents for the children and accepting phone calls from folks with questions about the family.

Humphrey’s cell phone number was listed in the original story, along with information about an account that has been set up for Katie at Regions Bank.

She said that her phone started ringing Monday morning and hasn’t stopped since. Folks from across the country have called.

“Each time I picked up the phone, I would see a different area code on the caller ID,” Humphrey said.

“I had a man call me from Las Vegas. He was in tears. He said, ‘This story just touches my heart. People gripe and complain about all their little problems. You see this and you think, why in the world would I be complaining?’ ”

Humphrey said people also were moved that the family was self-reliant despite both parents being unemployed.

Local people called as well. The first person to reach Humphrey was someone at an automotive repair shop in Crestview offering to service the family’s 22-year-old van.

The Renfroes left Tuesday afternoon for South Florida, where Katie is scheduled to begin a series of surgeries to improve her quality of life.

Right now, her petite frame is not strong enough to support the weight of her head. At nearly 5 years old, she weighs just 28 pounds.

On previous trips to the hospital in South Florida, Angie said she borrowed her brother’s credit card and paid him back bit by bit over time.

This time will be different. By Tuesday morning, $700 already had been deposited into the account, and Angie figured that would be enough to see them through the two-week stay.

“Financially, we’re all good for this trip,” she said. “Without the help of everyone out there, I’m not saying we couldn’t do it — we’ve always found a way — but it is so much easier.

“This way, I don’t owe anybody anything except gratitude.”

WANT TO HELP?
An account has been set up at Regions Bank in the name of Angie Renfroe for the benefit of Katie Renfroe. Catholic Charities is also working with the family.